How to report a crash and start an insurance claim

A guide on how to report a crash and file a claim with your car insurance company

If you were involved in a crash, you should always file a car insurance claim—even if it wasn’t your fault, or you were a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist.

There are many good reasons to open an insurance claim: you pay, so you should access the benefits when needed. Your insurance company will handle the communication with the adverse driver’s insurer. You want to go on the record, in case, down the road unexpected issues arise.

Finally, there may be a claims time limit—it’s best to report as soon as possible to protect yourself.

The official report

If the police did not come to the scene of the crash, and you have not spoken an officer, the first thing you need to do is file a police report.